WIDESPREAD RAIDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 256, 26 September 1940, Page 7

WIDESPREAD RAIDS

IN RURAL AREAS.

ROMBEKS BROUGHT DOWN

(Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. Sept. 25. After air fights over Bournemouth this afternoon a German bomber crashed, setting fire to a house. Four of the crew of five were killed. Another, bomber was brought down near Swanage, in Dorset. The five members of the crew baled out and were captured. Bombs fell in the South Lonaon area in to-day’s raid. It is officially stated that German planes crossed the Dorset coast in daylight . and attacked Bristol, bombing the outskirts. There was some damage, and a number were killed and injured. A New York message says the Associated Press of America has announced that it is believed the buildings housing its London office were struck during the night raids. The members ot the staff were not injured, but sent a message advising that they were operating temporarily under extreme difficulty. Communication was cut oft for 47 minutes.

ENEMY LOSSES,

A further Air Ministry communique issued at 8.45 p.m. stated : It is now known that 23 enemy aircraft were destroyed to-day, three by anti-aircraft fire. One of our fighters previously reported lost is safe. Our losses, therefore, were four fighter aircraft pilots, three of whom are safe.

A communique on the daylight attacks by the German and force to-day issued early in the evening stated: Enemy aircraft crossed the Dorset coast to-day and attacked Bristol. Bombs were dropped near the coast and on the outskirts of Bristol, causing some damage and killing anch injuring a number of people. There was also some minor enemy activity in South-East England, but reports indicate that there was little damage and few casualties occurred. The enemy was engaged by our fighters at all points. Selfridge’s, in the West End, is among the several departmental stores which have suffered damage in the course of the recent enemv night bombing. An Indian students’ hostel lias also been damaged.

ENEMY VERSION,

A Berlin communique says the air force bombed a number of military targets at Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, Hastings, Newhaven, Brighton and Southampton, several successful air battles being fought. A merchantman was sunk and another merchantman set on fire off the south-east coast of Ireland, while another was heavily damaged by a bomb in Northern Ireland. A speed-boat sank a merchantman off the south coast of England.

“The air force carried out strong reprisals against the London targets, also the Liverpool and Cardiff docks. Tho enemy lost twenty planes and four of ours are missing. Majors Moelders and Galla’nd have won their 40th air victories.”